Closing the Achievement Gap

PostApril 19, 2019

Summer creates heightened stress and uncertainty for many
families. Without the resources and stability the school year
provides, many are faced with food instability compounded by a
lack of affordable activities for kids, and potential learning
loss over the summer.

Research shows that students lose ground academically when they
are out of school during the summer — a phenomenon known as
”the summer slide.”

The effects of summer learning loss are cumulative.
Low-income students can fall behind their peers up to 2.5
to 3 years by fifth grade. Thus, widening the
achievement gap and increasing the likelihood that these children
will drop out of high school.

Summer STARS helps close this achievement gap by combating
the summer slide. United Way is focused helping kids
meet early literacy milestones during the school year, and
Summer STARS continues that work by helping them retain
those skills over the summer. The result, we’ll help
keep kids will stay on track for the next school year and
ready to achieve.